Squadron History: VPB-119 thru 124 were PB4Y-2 Squadrons. Navy Photographic Squadrons VD-1, 3, 4, and 5.

PB4Y-1 Liberator and PB4Y-2 Privateers Information Center About the Author and Requesting Information or Images My Books on Pacific PB4Y Operations Additional Books By Alan C. Carey History of PB4Y Operations Squadron History VB-101 to VPB-106 Squadron History VB-108 to VPB-111 Squadron History VB-115 to VPB-118 Squadron History VPB-119 to VD-5 Stories from PB4Y Personnel Roll of Honor My Dad Flight Deck Library Links to Navy and B-24 Sites PB4Y Images My Photos

The following are squadrons that served in the Pacific between 1943 to 1945. VPB-119-124 were PB4Y-2 Squadrons. VD squadrons were photographic units equipped with PB4Y-1s. The purpose of such squadrons was to obtain photographic images of enemy-held islands.

VPB-119 (February to August 1945)

Commanding officers: Commander Raymond C. Bales (January to March 1945); Lt. Commander M.S. Ragan (March to August 1945). Assigned to FAW 17. Based at Clark Field. Commander Bales was killed in action on 1 April 1945. Many members were veterans of VB-106 and were killed in action while serving with 119.

VPB-121

The PB4Y-2 squadron served in the Central Pacific. This squadron suffered the last combat loss of a PB4Y-2 in World War II.

VPB-123

Commanding officer; Lt. Commander Samuel Shilling. VPB-123 started as a PV-1 Ventura squadron (VB-140) before being reorganized as a PB4Y-2 squadron. It served on Okinawa from May to August 1945.

VPB-124

It started as a PV-1 Ventura squadron (VB-138). After serving in the South Pacific, it reorganized as a PB4Y-2 Squadron and served on Okinawa from June to July 1945. The squadron suffered heavy losses during that time including the loss of two commanding officers.

LITTLE JOE VPB-124

VD-3 (October 1943 to May 1944 and June to August 1945)

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VD-4 (May-November 1944)

 

VD-5

Last but not least: VPB-120 and 122

VPB-120

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander Frank G. Reynolds

Location: Shemya, Alaska

Date Assigned: July 19, 1945

VPB-122

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander A.L. Burgess

Location: Shemya, Alaska

Date Assigned: August 5, 1945